The New Midwest
Album: Commonwealth
Genre: Americana/Rock
RIYL: My Morning Jacket, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams
The New Midwest CD Release wsg Josh Rose, Steve DeRuiter, Randy Smit, Calvin College Gospel Choir
Ladies Lit Club, Grand Rapids
Jan. 23, doors at 7 p.m.
Donation of non-perishable food items
Commonweath, The New Midwest's second album, is named for its intended goal.
"We're working with the idea that local music doesn't have to be about making money for the artist, but about giving to the community," said Chris Smit, vocalist for the band.
That's why the cost to get into The New Midwest's CD release show on Jan. 23 is in the form of food (non-perishable items, canned goods, etc.), which will subsequently be donated to local food pantries.
"We're just trying to get people to think of while we're out having fun on a Saturday night, fourteen and a half percent of American families are struggling to get food to the table," Smit said. "That's something that's true in our town, so that's something we want to help out with."
Commonwealth was recorded independently in Smit's home with his band mates Michael VanHouten (drums), Jason Hammond (guitar), Scott Gordon (guitar), and David Wilsterman (bass). This will be the first recording since their self-titled debut album in 2006. Harmonies, full instrumentation and thoughtful lyrics seem to be the hallmarks of The New Midwest's sound, pulling from country and rock influences.
"The new record is almost two records," Smit said. "Almost an Americana and a modern rock record, and it's been thinking but challenging to mix it altogether."
Smit, a media studies professor at Calvin College, said Commonwealth was a long process, given that the group is all "working guys" with children.
"It's a labor of love to work on it this long, but we do most of our work playing out and we like to take our time with a record," he said. "It's been a good process."
Lyrically, Smit writes about his own life in terms of a larger picture.
"I write about what good life is about and what our potential is as people," he said. "A lot of my songs tend to ask questions about who we are as a culture, who we are as individuals. I'm a guy who spends my time in a wheelchair and some of that stuff comes up in my lyrics as well. Politics, love, all that's in between about individual experience."
The New Midwest will be joined by local performers including Josh Rose, Steve Dereiter, Langston Grant, the Calvin College Gospel Choir, poet Randy Smit and more. Representatives from local food pantries will also be there. Smit described the party as being a community event and a political rally as much as an album release. The New Midwest intends to continue its philanthropic ways throughout the year with more charity concerts and associates with local organizations.
"We're looking to get some good messages out there and if we can, help people along the way," he said.
